Nuisance Wildlife

Urban Coyotes

As people continue to expand housing subdivisions and other human development into what used to be open range wildlife habitat, especially on the expanding fringes of large metropolitan areas. This is increasing the potential for encounters and conflicts between people and wildlife.

Migratory Birds

Texas is a major route for migratory birds shuttling between the United States and Canada, and this springtime event can impact residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Nesting birds – herons, egrets and other nesting water birds – bring challenges such as noise, odor and significant amounts of excrement that covers streets, sidewalks, cars and mailboxes on public and private property. People may find the birds' chosen nesting areas offensive and a nuisance when birds locate near homes and businesses. Concerns of possible health hazards, as well as noise and odors are some of the most cited complaints.

Although this natural cycle can be beautiful, the challenges associated can be overwhelming. These concerns relate to noise, odor and significant amounts of excrement that covers streets, sidewalks, cars, mailboxes and other public and private property.

City of Lancaster is unable to address any of these issues while the birds are nesting due to their "protected" status provided by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The City needs the help of its residents to address this challenge proactively. We encourage you to take the steps below to protect your trees and to remain vigilant in observing bird activity in your neighborhood:

Thin tree canopy to allow sunlight to shine between limbs and other trees

Remove old nesting material

Use reflective tape, scare-eye balloons or other visual deterrents to make your trees less attractive to migratory birds in search of viable nesting sites

If you notice egrets or herons in your trees, use water hose or signal horns to scare birds from the trees

As soon as you see birds on or near your property, begin using scare tactics:

Use noisemakers, water spray or shine lights at night.

Hand "scare eye" balloons or other moving objects in trees.

Use long poles, tennis balls or water hoses to disturb early nesting material.

Do not harm birds or eggs. These birds are protected by international treaty.

Once birds begin sitting on nests, eggs are probably present. You cannot kill, harass, move or disturb the birds when they are actively nesting. Examples of migratory birds are Cattle Egret, Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron.